On Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 from 10 am to 2 pm, Springfield Police will participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Springfield Police will have a collection site in the lobby of the Springfield Justice Center, 230 Fourth Street, Springfield, OR 97477.

DEA: The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

There will be collection sites around the nation. You can find the sites closest to you, including Springfield Police, on the DEA’s Collection Site Locator: https://takebackday.dea.gov/

Stats from previous events:

Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,425 (Oregon 44), April 2021

Total Collection Sites: 5,060 (Oregon 47), April 2021

Total Weight Collected: 839,543 pounds (420 Tons) (Oregon 11,257), April 2021

Total Weight All Time:  14,524,391 Pounds (7,262 Tons) (Oregon 191,823)